Process of carbureting air.



G. V. STUART.- PROCESS OF GARBURETING AIR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8, 1913.

Patented July 7, 1914.

oafj,

ttom oninn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES V. STUARTpOF MEMPHIS;

TENNESSEE, ASSIG-NOR, BY DIRECT ASSIGNMENTS, TO STUART AMERICAN PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF MEMPHIS, NESSEE, A. CORPORATION OF TENNESSEE.

AND Mnsnn raurnocnss F CARBURETING AIR. r l

' -Application filed September 8, 1913.

- To all whom it may concern:

bursting air and fied wherein carbureted air suitable for illuan experimental way.

a commercial standpoint,

minating, heating or power purposes may be generated directly from crude oil or derivatives of crude oil in a simple and ellicient shanner; the provision of a process wherein the vapor (or carbureted air) produced has the properties of rapid ignition, or rapid flame propagation and this without the undesirable soot or carbon residuum ordinarily incident to the use of crude oil; and the provision of a process which may be carried on by a very simple and inexpensive apparatus.

Certain embodiments of apparatus whereby the process may be carried out are illustrated 'n the accompanying drawings. Briefly stated the process consists in the steps of first vaporizing the crude oil by the application of heat, and subsequently mixing the air with the crude oil vapor; passing the resultant mixture through a filtering medium, whereby a more intimate mixture is obtained, and and unvolatilized suspended ingredients of the vapor maybe extracted. In some cases I have found it desirable to add the air to the vapor after it has passed the filtering medium, and in still further instances it has been found that better results Wlll take place by the addition of air both before and after the mixture has been subjected to the filtering material.

Iam aware that, prior to my invention, certain laboratory work has included the carbureting of air with The explosive mixture obtained however, has always been of such' a nature as to render it useless from due to the presence of too large a proportion of unvolatil- Specification of Letters Patent.

whereby any of'the heavier- .crude oil vapor in Patented July '7, 1914.. Serial 160,788,718.

ized ingredients.- It is my belief that prior to my invention, the presence ofsuspende ingredients in large quantities, has been due to the omissionoi' a very material and vital step in the carbureting process. In the practice of my invention, the crude oil isvaporiz ed in the absence of air, by the application of heat. I then mix the, air and crude oil vapor, as hereinafter explained, and pass the mixture at a relatively high velocitymto a large filtering or settling chamber 1n which the mixture is caused to abruptly rise in a verticahdirection witha reduced velocity. In this process gravity causesthe heavy unvolatilized globules of oil to fall to the bottom of the chamber, while the lighter particles pass through nifdiun-as will be more particularly pointe out.

the filtering Referring'to the embodiment of my inthe drawings, form-. ing a part thereof: Figure 1 is a view of my device in sectional elevation. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the conical disks included in the'filtering medium. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the flexible diaphragm which closes the top of the tank or container.

In the drawings 11 indicates a tank which may be supplied with crude oil, or any of the lower grades of hydrocarbon. From said tank a pipe 2 is adapted to conveythe oil to a cylinder 3 containing a heating coil 4. It is obvious that the coil 4 may be a continuation of the pipe, 2. Surrounding the cylinder 3. is a larger cylinder 5, and it will be'noted that between said cylinders is a dead air space 6.

7 indicates the exhaust pipe of the eng ne (not shown), said pipe 7 leads into the cylinder 3, and, when the engine is running the exhaust gases serve to heat the coil 4 and the oil containedtherein. The dead air space 6 retains theheat' and is very advantageous in cases'where the engine is allowed to remain idle temporarily.

Within the coil 4 the oil is vaporized by vention as shown. in

the heat and thereafter passes through a I the bottom of the tank 9 perforated disks,

, complishes two g It causes a more thorough intermingling of a valve 11 adapted to control the supply of 'The'air enters the pipe 8 and inter-" the "air and oil vapor, as they pass through the interstices of the'absorbent material,- and also serves to remove Furthermore'a proportion of the air within the filtering medium is absorbed by the mixture,- and becomes intermingled therewith. After the mixture passes through the filter I llit is a highly inflammable gas, practically free'fromunvolatilizedingredients. The end 14, of the pipe 8 within the tank 9,.1s downwardly turned as shown in the drawing. The purpose of this construction CIR 1 from unvolatilized ingredients and there efficiency. In the preferred form of my heavy ingredients to lower perforated disk,

heavy particles carried strike the interior face 14:

drop to the bottom of the tank 9, there-after place immediately upon the vapor 50' isto allow the unvolatllized ingredients or in suspension, to of the pipe, and

to be carried off by the pipe- 15. The volatile and 'lighter'mixed vapor passes upwardly to the filter and strikes the lower conical disk 16, where etherunvolatilized ingredients are removed. 7 It is obvious that the passage of thejmixture through the porous material in the body of the filter will remove still other unvolatili'zed ingredients and that the resultant vapor will be substantially free fore in a condition to provide for maximum P" paratus I employ a settling tank'or chamber 9 which is 'very much larger in. diameter than the diameter of the pipe 8, whereby a decrease in the velocity of the vapor takes from said pipe. This construction a mitsof the mixed air and oil vapor traveling through the pipe at a high speed until it strikes the downwardly turned face 145, where it is partially atomized. Immediately thereafter the admixture enters into a relatively enlarged space, and hence, since it is impelled upwardly by the same-force which carried it through the pipe 8, its velocity will be greatly reduced. It will be noted that the relatively low'v'elocity allows the fall through gravity to the settling chamber, before they strike the will still be allowed to pass upwardly through the filtering medium, befurther reand will reach the motor air-to the pipe 8.

7 any of the heavier un-' volatilized particles held" in suspension.

.disks 16, 16 embracing the 'hydro-carbon oils.

suspension to strike assing.

but the lighter vapors lieved of the particles held in suspension,

mable vapor.

Near the upper end of the tank 9 I provide a pipe 17 which leads to the manifold of the engine. Leading into this pipe 17 is provided an additional air inlet pipe 18, provided with a pressure valve and cut-off as a highly inflamvalve in a manner similar to the pipe 8. A

supply pipe 19,.having a cut-off valve 20, enters the upper portion of the tank 9, said pipe extending to the approximate center of the tank to a point just above the filtering medium; for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The top of. the tank 9 is closed by a'flexible circumferentially corrugated dia phragm 21, adapted to act as a safety cap in case ofviolent back-firing of the engine. In case of suchback-fire, is of relatively thin off, 7 and medium. i v

The filtering medium, as disclosed in my co-pending application above referred to, comprises two conical, perforated opposed strands. A screw-threaded rod 23 extends the diaphragm, which material, will be blown prevent injury, to the filtering I '90 a plurality of fibrous through the centers of these disks, thelower I portion of said rod being supported by a spider 24.. The upper portion 25 0f said spider contains an interiorlyscrew-threaded aperture adapted to'receive the rod 23. A hand wheel 24* is provided upon the top of the rod, whereby rotation may be imparted thereto and the filtering medium as a whole raised or lowered.

The filter 22 is made vertica'ily adjustable so as to adapt it for use with the heaviest of very heavy oils, a larger percentage of unvolatilized'ingredients are held insuspension in the tank 9 below the filter. In such cases the filter'is moved upwardly the result being that the suction of the engine is not so liable. to cause the heavier particles in against the lower disk 16"and fill the apertures. Nevertheless the In the use of the v ascent of the lighter'particles will not be retarded. The suction power of engines varies in direct proportion to the diameter,

bore and number of the cylinders, and the speed thereof. In engines having a high suction power the filter 22 is raised, the result being that a smaller quantit of the heavier.

suspendedingredients are a lowed to reach the lower disk 16. In engines of lower suction power the filter may be moved down wardly since the heavy ingredients will not;- be drawn upwardly to as great an extent. The difference in suctlon power of various engines may be compensated for by varying the quantity of porous material between the cones, as will be readily understood. It will be observed that the prime object in the provision of a vertically adjustable filter isito lower disk 16 and engine has run prevent the filling of the apertures of the the interstices of the orous material.

If the heavier globules of oil, or unvola tilized ingredients, are allowed to strike the lower disk, they will eventually fill the apertures thereof, the" result being that the lighter particles would either not pass therethrough, or that the heavier ingredients would be drawn up into the porous material. In the latter event the filtering medium would soon become saturated and soggy, and, under the aspirations of the motor, would allow the heavier ingredients to be drawn into the combustion chambers, thereby causing the motor to lose its maximum efficiency. 'By means of the vertically adjustable filter I am enabled to vary the distance of travel of the vapor from the bottom of the settling chamber to the lower disk, and hence minimize the chance of the heavier particles reaching said disk. It; will therefore be understood that, by varying the height of the filter, I am enabled to insure an adjustment which will prevent the aspirations of the motor from lifting the heavier ingredients as far as the lower disk. It will be obvious that this adjustment will vary inaccordance with the lifting power of the motor and the specific gravity of the particular oil being used,but it will also be understood that the filter may be set to meet any condition which may arise. By this construction I find that the lower portion of the filtering medium is kept barely moist, While the upper portionis practically dry.

The inner end of the pipe 17, is provided with a screen 26, to prevent back-firing, in a manner which will be clearly manifest.

It is to be understood that the vapor is drawn through practically the entire system by the suction of the engine. The crude oil is conducted by erably by gravity but assisted by suct on to the coil- 4, where vaporization takes place and the vapor is drawn by the suction of the engine to the pipe 8. At this point it meets an incoming stream of air induced into the pipe 8, and an intermingling takes place. In a manner hereinbefore described the mixture iscaused to pass upwardly through the filter and into the engine.

It will be observed that the extension of the coil 4: within the pipe 8. terminates at a point beyond the entrance of the air intake 10. I have found that far better results are obtained by this construction. The incoming cold air induced by the suction of the engine strikes the pipe l", and is heated, expanded and rarefied, thereby adapting it to more readily absorb or eommingl h the e w t vapor issuing from the pipe 4*. After the a short ength of time the pipe 8 becomes heated and assists in warming the air. It will also be noted that by any well known means, pref- I 'dium, commingles with the in the usual manner.

- of my knowledge and belief, prior this construction the cold air is prevented from striking the oil vii; or at an angle. The air travels along within the pipe 8 and surrounding the pipe l, and at the same speed as the vapor in the pipe 1*. At the end of said pipe the rarefied air meets the vapor, both traveling at the same speed. It is obvious that, since the molecules of the air and vapor are traveling in the same direction and at the same speed they more readily cling or eohere, and that more thorough intermingling'is efiected.

After the unvolatilized ingredients have been removed by the wall 14, the disks 16, 16, and the absorbent I may admit a further supply of air by means of the pipe 18. In some cases I have found-that an additional supply of air is effective in speeding up the motor and in a saving of fuel.

It is to be understood that the elevation of the tank 1 imparts pressure to the oil as it descends through the pipe 2-, coil 4: and outlet 4:. Furthermore; as the oil is heated it expands and increases the pressure, so that, when. the downward impulse is augmented by the'suction of the engine, the oil vapor strikes'the face 1 L of the pipe with considerable speed. It is obvious that the heavier unvolatilized ingredients would impinge against the face 14: and drop downwardly, thereby tending to form a'veil'of unvolatilized ingredients. The volatile mixture passes through this veil thereby taking such partially unvolatilized molecules as would be provided by the breaking-up action lee - caused by the forcible contact of the ingredients issuing from the pipe 4 with the face 14. In order to initially start the engine after all. the ports are thoroughly cooled I open the valve 20. The pipe 19 leads to a tank or receptacle containing gasolene or any light hydro-carbon. This light oil is allowed to run upon the surface of the filtering meair therein, and, when the engine is cranked .the gasolene vapor is drawn in the cylinders and ignited After the en ine runs until the exhausts heat the oil in the coil 4, the valve 20 may be closed and the engine will cont-'nue to run by the combination of the commingled air and crude oil vapor.

From the foregoing it will be readily understood that I first vaporize the crude oil by a heating process, thereafter intermingle the vapor with air and pass the resultant mixture at a reduced velocity and inan upward direction through a filtering medium. I may pass the vapor through the filter and then supply the air, or I may add the anbefore and after the filtration .process takes place, and I believe that I am the first in the art to perform this process. To the best to my incrude oil vention, the intermingling of material 2-2, if desired, 3.

vapor and air, and a, separation of the neavier ingredients by gravity, and a subsequent filtration and further intermingling of crude oil vapor and air, has never been successfully accomplished.

lathe drawings I have shown one form of apparatus for carrying out my process' i it is understood that I claim as my invention all embodiments or variations of the process which fall within the scope of the appended claims. v v What I claim as my invention, is:

l. The process of carbureting air with the lower hydro-carbon oils, which consists in vaporizing the oil, adding air, passing the admixture to a settling chamber, and causing the admixture to rise to a filtering medium at a velocity insufi'icientv J to lift the heavier unvolatilized ingredients to said medium whereby the lightervapor passes through-the medium andis filtered and. the heavier ingredients are precipitated;

2. The process of carbureting air with the lower hydro-carbon oils, which consists in vaporizing the oil by the application of heat, adding heated air, passing the resultant mixture to a settling chamber 'and'causing the admixture to rise to a filtering medium.

in the absence of air, adding controllable quantities, passing the admiX-,

at a velocity insufiicient to lift the heavier unvolatilized ingredients to said medium, whereby the lighter vapor passes through the medium and is filtered and the heavier ingredients are precipitated 3. The process of carbureting air with the lower hydro-carbon oils, which consists in vaporizing the oil by the application of heat ture to a settling chamber and causing it to rise to a filteringv medium at a velocity insuflicient to lift the heavier unvolatilized ing-redients to said medium; whereby the lighter vapor passes through the medium and is filteredand the heavier ingredients are precipitated.

4:. The process of carbureting air with the lower hydro-carbon oils, which consists in vaporizing the oil, adding air thereto, passing the admixture forcibly against a baiile element, and thence to an enlarged settling chamber whereby the velocity of the admixture is reduced, and causing the mixture to direction to a filtering insufiicient to lift the travel in an upward medium at a velocity heavier unvolatilized heated air in heavier unvolatilized ingredientsto said medium, whereby the-lighter particles of the mixture may pass through the filtering medium while the heavier unvolatilized ingredients are precipitated;

5. Therecess of carbureting air with the lower hyd vaporizing the oil, causing the vapor to travel along the conduit, adding air to the vapor inthe conduit, introducing the admixture to a relatively large filtering and settling chamber whereby the velocity vof the mixture is reduced, and presenting the mixture to a filtering medium at a velocity'sufficient to carry the substantially volatile-particles therethrough, butrinsuflicient to lift the heavier unvolatilized ingredients to the medium.

, 6. The process of caroureting air with the lower hydro-carbon oils, which consists in vaporizing the oil by the application of heat in the absence of air, causing the vapor to travel along a'condiiit, automatically adding air in controllable quantities to the vaporin 1n opposition togravity being through adistance such as to permit gravitation to be eflective td separate the heavier unvolatllized ingredients fromthe admixture, whereby the lighter particles are allowed to pass through themedium while the heavier par-- ticles do not 'reach the medium but are pre: cipitated.-

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES v. STUART. Witnesses:

B.- E. Moses, WILLIAM T. JONES.

ro-carbon oils, which consists in" volatile particles I ingredients to'the me- 

